Inland Wetlands Commission (IWC) members are urging the developer of a multibuilding rental apartment complex, which is part of a major mixed-use project proposed for Hawleyville, to find some ways to reduce the physical impact of the apartments on the terrain.

The mixed-use project, which is proposed by two developers, would include a 180-unit apartment complex in six multistory buildings on 21 acres, a diner on four acres, and a church on 17 acres.

The three-pronged development is proposed for an overall 42 acres lying west of Hawleyville Road (State Route 25) and south of the Exit 9 interchange of Interstate 84. Each of the six apartment buildings would contain 30 rental units.

Developer Anthony Lucera of Brookfield, doing business as Covered Bridge Newtown, LLC, proposes the apartment complex on Covered Bridge Road and proposes the diner at 13 Hawleyville Road.

Grace Family Church Inc, proposes the church on Covered Bridge Road to replace its church about one mile away at 174 Mt Pleasant Road (US Route 6).

At an October 28 IWC public hearing on the apartment/diner proposal, IWC chairman Mary Curran suggested eliminating some apartments from the construction proposal, possibly eliminating the apartment building proposed for land nearest to a wetland at the site.

“It’s an intensive use,” Ms Curran said of the project.

Engineer Dainius Virbickas of Artel Engineering Group of Brookfield, representing Covered Bridge, said that any such decision on reducing the number of apartments would be one for the project’s developer to make. Mr Virbickas said he would discuss the idea with the developer.

Mr Virbickas noted that initially, the developer had considered constructing more than 180 apartments at the site.

IWC member Anne Peters asked whether the developer would remove certain invasive plants from the development site. When considering the amount of tree removal that will be necessary to construct the project, it would be good if the invasive plants infesting the site are removed, she said.

Mr Virbickas said he would consult with the developer on that request.

IWC member Sharon Salling noted that Covered Bridge’s proposal involves very intensive land development. She urged that steps be taken to reduce or “soften” the physical impact of proposed terrain changes there.

“I’ve been quite affected by some of the comments from the public,” she said.

Residents of the small Hillcrest Drive/Covered Bridge Road neighborhood, among others, have attended IWC hearings and Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) hearings on the project, which began in August. Those residents have made numerous comments about the construction proposal.

IWC member Craig Ferris suggested that the developer not remove a stand of trees at the site, as has been proposed in the construction plans. Leaving that vegetation intact is a suitable alternative to removing it, according to Mr Ferris.

Mr Virbickas told IWC members that the applicant would consider ways to reduce the project’s impact on the terrain.

Public Comment

During the public comment section of the October 28 IWC hearing, Janet McKeown of 10 Hillcrest Drive suggested that the developer reduce the size of the proposed apartment complex.

Elmer Cox of 31 Pond Brook Road suggested that the width of proposed protective buffer zones along Pond Brook at the site be increased as an environmental protection measure.

Pond Brook traverses the development site and carries water from Taunton Lake to the Lake Lillinonah section of the Housatonic River. The brook runs parallel to Pond Brook Road before entering Lake Lillinonah.

Mr Cox also suggested that the amount of proposed impervious surfaces, such as roofs and paved parking lots, be reduced. He recommended that permeable paving stones be used for parking areas to allow stormwater to enter the soil there.

Additionally, Mr Cox said that the number of apartments proposed for the development should be reduced.

Also, the IWC has received its requested analysis of wetlands/watercourses protection measures proposed for the development site from the consulting Northwest Conservation District.

That report, in part, asked that the developers specify the technical details of three stormwater detention systems proposed for the site, which would function as wetlands systems in terms of protecting surface water quality.

That October 19 technical report from soil scientist Sean Hayden found that the developers’ modified stormwater control plans would minimize the negative effects of the development on nearby wetlands and on surface water.

On October 28, IWC members closed the public hearing on the church component of the mixed-use construction proposal, but did not act on the church’s application for a wetlands/watercourses protection permit.

IWC members decided that the hearing on the apartments/diner proposal would resume on November 18.

The P&Z’s two continuing public hearings on the church proposal and the apartments/diner proposal are scheduled to resume on November 5.